Vol. 420 No. 7
60 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the serious reduction in the commercial salmon catch that has taken place in the Barrow, Nore and Suir rivers due to the lack of conservation methods and the use of mono-filament netting; if he will outline the action he intends to take to redress this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The problems being experienced with salmon stocks in these rivers have been raised with me at a number of meetings that I have held with various groups representing the fishery interest concerned. I have seen the situation at first hand earlier this week when I visited the Southern Fisheries Region and met the members of the local fisheries board. The scientific staff of my Department are carrying out an examination of the salmon stock situation at my request and will be reporting back to me with recommendations. The fisheries boards have also been asked to prepare development plans for the major river systems throughout the country and these will include the Barrow, Nore and Suir.
The recent decline in salmon stocks is not unique to this country. It is a problem that is being experienced worldwide.
